INSIDE LOOK - Missouri Sheriffs' Association · INSIDE LOOK buy the book: ... 16 Douglas County...

Meet the sheriffs from Douglas, Platte, Pemiscot and Pettis counties

INSIDE LOOK

Spring/Summer 2014buy the book: the history of missouri’s sheriffs page 9

SECOND CHANCELincoln County work

brigade, choir opens eyes, changes hearts

VICTIMS’ RIGHTSMSA hires additional CVU advocate to meet ever-increasing need

BRANSON SALUTESLaw enforcement to

be honored at weeklong celebration

4 THE MISSOURI SHERIFF 2014 www.mosheriffs.com

News7 Progress Made on Many Fronts

8 Around the State10 A Bad Idea, A Keen Observation

and ‘Click It or Ticket’12 Pay Question Settled13 History in the Making

ON THE JOBCover Story: Inside Look

14 Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond15 Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen

16 Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase17 Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell

18 Living His Passion with Purpose

COMMUNITY19 Crime Victims Update

20 5 Practices of an Inspirational Work Place21 A Stitch — Made Just in Time

22 Branson Rolls Out Red Carpet for Law Enforcement

CORRECTIONS23 Provider Delivers Healthcare Needs

to Jail Populations Throughout State24 Kept in the Dark26 Second Chance

TRAINING28 MSA Spring Conference

29 MSA Jail Administrators’ Conference30 Answering the Call

CONTENTS

Nancy Zoellner-HoglandEditor

Rich AuBuchonAttorney with Polsinelli PC

Contributors

Kim CaseMissouri Sheriffs’ Association Crime Victims Unit Advocate

Pieter Van WaardeSenior Pastor Woodcrest Chapel

Bill SullivanLaw Enforcement Liaison for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7

Features

21

18

26

22

Spring/Summer2014

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www.mosheriffs.com 2014 THE MISSOURI SHERIFF 5


Missouri Sheriffs’ Association6605 Business 50 WestJefferson City, MO 65109www.mosheriffs.com

VOL. 4, NO. 4 SPRING/SUMMER 2014

MARKETING & ADVERTISING COORDINATORJeanne Merritt 573.635.5925 Cell 573.529.6900 Fax 573.635.2128 [email protected]

EDITORNancy Zoellner-Hogland [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSRich AuBuchon Kim CaseArt RoseBill SullivanPieter Van Waarde

PHOTOGRAPHYDavid Dilks Kevin Merritt

DESIGNStacie L. Marshall Hill Design Co.

BECOME A MEMBER573.635.5925 ext. 101www.mosheriffs.com

GENERAL INQUIRIES, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONSJeanne [email protected]

Copyright © 2014 by the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association. All rights reserved. All material appearing in The Missouri Sheriff magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The Missouri Sheriff magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher.

MSA StaffEXECUTIVE DIRECTORMichael R. Covington

GRANT COORDINATORKevin Merritt

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTKaren Logan

ACCOUNTS MANAGERWanda Holtmeyer

SENIOR SYSTEMS ANALYSTDavid Schwendemann

CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATE CASE MANAGERKim CaseEmily Russell

MSATA Staff

TRAINING COORDINATORMike Stubbs

TRAINING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTDonna Arney

TRAINING SECRETARYGina Kauffman

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORSRusty Bourg O.J. Stone

MSA Executive BoardPRESIDENTThomas D. GreenwellSheriff of Pemiscot County

1ST VICE-PRESIDENTKevin C. BondSheriff of Pettis County

2ND VICE-PRESIDENTRodney W. HerringSheriff of Grundy County

3RD VICE-PRESIDENTMike SharpSheriff of Jackson County

SECRETARYTroy HofstetterSheriff of Carroll County

TREASURERRoye ColeSheriff of Webster County

SERGEANT-AT-ARMSMike Rackley Sheriff of Dallas County

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTJ. Kent OberkromSheriff of Henry County

Board Member Zone LeadersZONE 1 — Sheriff K. Porter Hensen, Clinton County

ZONE 2 — Sheriff Jerry Galloway, Caldwell County

ZONE 3 — Sheriff Mark E. Nichols, Randolph County

ZONE 4 — Sheriff Wayne Winn, Scotland County

ZONE 5 — Sheriff Mark Owen, Platte County

ZONE 6 — Sheriff Jerry Wolfe, Cooper County

ZONE 7 — Sheriff Stephen Korte, Pike County

ZONE 8 — Sheriff Chuck Heiss, Johnson County

ZONE 9 — Sheriff Greg White, Cole County

ZONE 10 — Sheriff Daniel Bullock, St. Francois County

ZONE 11 — Sheriff Kay Williams, Polk County

ZONE 12 — Sheriff Randy Martin, Crawford County

ZONE 13 — Sheriff Rick Walter, Scott County

ZONE 14 — Sheriff Jim Arnott, Greene County

ZONE 15 — Sheriff Tom Volner, Reynolds County

ZONE 16 — Sheriff Bob Holder, Dunklin County

The Missouri Sheriff magazine is the official publication for the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association.

The Missouri Sheriff magazine is dedicated to providing informative and timely information to enrich the lives of the dedicated men and women providing county law enforcement, jail, court security and judicial services throughout the state of Missouri, and the public they serve.

Visit us online at www.mosheriffs.com.


FROM THE PRESIDENT

Progress Made on Many Fronts

The office of sheriff

has a proud history in our

nation. We are elected

by the people, and in my

opinion there is no greater

privilege.

Spring is here! I’m sure everyone in the state is very happy winter is behind us. In the Bootheel, it has been the worst

winter I can remember. Let’s hope for a wonderful and safe spring and summer.

Since becoming your president, it has been a busy seven months. Thanks to the hard work of our association and Sheriff Oberkrom, we have the beginning phases of the RMS/JMS system operating in several counties. As the system is rolled out I am sure many other sheriffs will utilize it.

The CCW system is up and running, and computers and printers have been installed in our sheriffs’ offices throughout the state. This was an important change for our citizens and sheriffs alike. Our citizens now have a one-stop shop for their CCW permits and our sheriffs will have more personal contact with their citizens — and more time to visit on other matters of concern while those citizens are in the sheriffs’ offices. Kevin Merritt, David Schwendemann, Mick Covington and our office staff have done a great job in getting this project operational in the short time allotted.

Sheriff Kevin Bond and his wife have started the History of Missouri Sheriffs project which is well on its way to being a great success. Sheriff Bond presented the idea last year and as usual our great staff jumped in with both feet and brought to life a much needed part of Missouri history. Thanks to Jeanne Merritt and her staff.

The capitol walk by our sheriffs has again been a topic of discussion. Sheriffs have done a great job interacting with the legislators, assisting them in understanding the operations and needs of sheriffs across the state and in many cases informing them on how the proposed laws will affect citizens in the counties we are elected to serve.

Every sheriff in this state takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of Missouri. Our voice is a very important one in Jefferson City by giving our opinions and help to our lawmakers.

I am very proud to have served my county for the past 17 years as sheriff. The office of sheriff has a proud history in our nation. We are elected by the people and in my opinion there is no greater privilege.

I also am honored to have served as president of the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association. I wish the incoming president, Sheriff Kevin Bond, the best of luck and success during his term.

May God bless all of us,

Tommy Greenwell Tommy GreenwellPemiscot County Sheriff

8 THE MISSOURI SHERIFF 2014 www.mosheriffs.com8 THE MISSOURI SHERIFF 2014 www.mosheriffs.com

Fight Against Meth Continues ADAIR COUNTY — As of May 1, cold medication containing Pseudoephedrine can no longer be purchased in the city of Kirksville without a prescription. Adair County Sheriff Robert Hardwick, who met with community leaders, presidents of Truman State University and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, doc-tors and civic clubs over the past year to promote the program, said he was happy that Kirksville joined the list of 70-some other communities across the state who are “fed up with Meth” and decided to take steps to improve the quality of life for residents. Sheriff Hardwick said more than 16,000 packages of medication containing the key drug Pseudoephed-rine were sold in 2012. The number was substantially higher in 2013.

NEWS

Around the State

State Awards Grant to Cyber Task ForceDENT COUNTY — Dent County Sher-iff Rick Stallings recently announced the award of additional grant funds to support the South Central Missouri Computer Crime Task Force (SCMCTF). The task force provides investigations, technical support, computer forensic examinations, officer training in identify-ing and seizing electronic evidence and internet safety presentations to schools in the region. The sheriff’s office was awarded an additional $4,500 from the State Cyber Crime Grant (SCCG) program through the Missouri Department of Public Safety. This award is an addition to the $39,749.12, which was previously awarded for the 2014 grant period, June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. This ad-ditional award is for the upgrade of the equipment and software used to exam-ine cell phones. There is no local match requirement for this award. The SCMCTF is comprised of investigators from vari-ous agencies and provides investigative and technology expertise to assist law enforcement in Dent, Pulaski, Phelps, Crawford, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon, Texas, and Washington Counties in the investigation and prosecution of cases where digital evidence may be involved, particularly crimes against children.

Sheriff Issues ChallengeCLAY COUNTY — Clay County Sheriff Paul Vescovo accepted the challenge and took the “Plunge for Landon.” Landon Shaw, a 5-month-old baby from Tarkio, Mis-souri, is battling a rare childhood cancer. The Tarkio community came up with the “Plunge Challenge” as a way to show support and raise funds to help the family. They started a “Plunge for Landon” Face-book page March 30 and since that time, thousands have been videotaped as they jumped into frigid ponds, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools and then chal-lenged at least three others to do the same, promising to donate money for each person who jumps. Sheriff Vescovo chal-lenged other sheriffs across the state. To date, more than $65,000 has been raised.

Team Sees SuccessDOUGLAS COUNTY — In January of 2014, Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase, Ozark County Sheriff Darrin Reed and Wright County Sheriff Glenn Adler as-sembled a Tri-County Special Response Team to address the illegal drug and stealing problems in their counties. The team pooled resources to safely and effi-ciently serve high risk and narcotic war-rants and assist with major crimes within the counties. Since its inception, the team has served 12 search warrants that resulted in 25 arrests including multiple charges of manufacturing, possession and distribution of controlled substances; receiving stolen property; burglary; property damage; stealing; endangering the welfare of a child; unlawful use of a weapon; and multiple traffic violations. Several items stolen from recent burgla-ries were recovered in Wright County.

All three sheriffs have placed stopping the illegal use, possession and distribu-tion of controlled substances as their top priorities and pledged to continue to ag-gressively pursue those committing these types of crimes.

“We work for the citizens of our coun-ties and the feedback we are receiving in-dicates they are tired of the stealing and the drug problems. We don’t know what it is going to take to resolve the problems. However we want it understood that illegal drug activity will not be ignored in these three counties,” said Sheriff Degase.

AtchisonNodaway

Holt

Worth

Gentry

DeKalbAndrew

Buchanan

Platte

Clinton

Clay

Daviess

Caldwell

Harrison

Ray

Mercer

Linn

Putnam

Carroll

Sullivan

Livingston

Grundy

Schuyler Scotland

KnoxAdair

Clark

Lewis

Macon

MonroeRandolphChariton

MarionShelby

Ralls

Pike

Audrain

Warren

LincolnMont-gomery

Callaway

Jackson BooneHowardSalineLafayette

Cass

BatesHenry

CooperJohnson Pettis

Benton

Vernon

Osage

MoniteauCole

Morgan

Miller

St. Clair Camden

Barton

Gasco-nade

St. Louis

St. Charles

Hickory

Franklin

Maries

Cedar Dallas

Dade

Polk

Jasper

Newton

McDonald

Lawrence

Barry Stone

Greene

Christian

St. Francois

Ste. Genevieve

St. Louis City

Je�erson

Scott

Iron

Reynolds

Carter

Ripley

Wayne

Butler

Stoddard

DunklinPemiscot

NewMadrid

Miss-issippi

Bollinger

CapeGirardeau

Madison

Perry

WashingtonCrawford

Dent

Shannon

OregonHowell

Texas

PhelpsPulaski

Laclede

Wright

Douglas

OzarkTaney

Webster

Share your news!Announce your special event or award recognition with MSA. Send information to Jeanne Merritt at [email protected].


A History of Missouri’s Sheriffs

PRE-ORDER TODAY!

To pre-order, call 573-529-6900 or visitwww.missourisheriffshistorybook.com

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$5995Only Introductory price good through September 30, 2014 includes FREE shipping and

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Publishing in October 2014, “Preserving the Past — Protecting the Future: A History of Missouri’s Sheriffs” will explore the roots of the office of sheriff — the only law enforcement office in the state directly

accountable to the people it serves. This 11” x 8.5” hardback coffee table book

will explore the origin of the office of sheriff, which dates back to the 1800s; it will detail

the history of the office in each of Missouri’s 114 counties and the city of St. Louis; it will

highlight events and notorious criminals that made history in our state; it will remember

former sheriffs who served; and its well thought-out combination of photos and

writing will truly provide readers a unique glimpse into this historical office.

missouri pride

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BECOME A msa member today.

What your Missouri Sheriffs’ Association membership means for Missouri...

Stronger Legislative Support

INVALUABLE SUPPORT FOR MISSOURI’S SHERIFFS AND THEIR STAFFS

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Please support your Missouri Sheriffs’ Association! Annual dues are only $25 for an Honorary Membership

or $50 for an Honorary Business Membership.

573.635.5925 ext. 101

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NEWS

A Bad Idea, A Keen Observation and ‘Click It or Ticket’

I was just off the cruise ship in sunny Cozumel, Mexico, attempting to get my seat belt to work in the Jeep I was

about to drive to the beach, when the friendly guide said in perfect English, “Do not worry Señor, there is no seat belt law in Mexico.”

“Well amigo,” I said, “Are there no laws of physics in Mexico?”

Suddenly he had trouble understand-ing English. This guided Jeep tour into the offbeat areas of Cozumel had been booked (and paid for) months in ad-vance. You get to drive your own Jeep, just following the guide to places away from the crowds of tourists. The seat

belt would not budge out of its ratchet.“We are ready to leave now,” the guide said. So I had a decision to

make. Do I drive off with no seat belt in a Mexican Jeep with

190,000 miles on it, traveling at 50-plus MPH on

Mexican high-ways, driving

on unpaved Mexican back roads and making a

stop at a Tequila Factory with free samples — all on an island loaded with drunken tourists? What could go wrong? Or do I refuse to go without a seat belt, try to get my money back and miss the secluded beach?

I looked to my wife and asked, “What do you think?”

“My seat belt works fine, she an-swered. “Besides, your life insurance is paid up.” Ever the supporting spouse. The decision was up to me — Mr. Seat belt, NHTSA Law Enforcement Liaison, retired traffic cop, trainer of officers to never drive without using your seat belt. Before I finish the story, here is some background information:

When I was with my training officer many years ago, before there were seat belt laws, he made a comment that I will always remember. He said “Lad,” (he always called rookies “lad”), “I’ve worked a lot of traffic accidents in my day, and I’ve never unbuckled a dead man.”

A keen observation from a wise officer. Throughout my career I also never

personally worked a traffic crash where anyone died that was wearing a seat belt. While fatal crashes do occur with restrained occupants, the best chance of surviving a crash is by wearing a seat belt.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2012, seat belts saved 12,174 lives. The NHTSA also reported the daytime seat belt rate for the United States in 2013 was 87 percent. This rate has been trend-ing up since 1995. Not surprisingly, the percentage of unrestrained passenger

vehicle occupant fatalities has been decreasing at the same time. Traffic

deaths are historically low.Studies also show that the

more seat belt citations that are issued, the higher the seat belt use rate. Enforc-ing occupant protection laws makes your community safer, with fewer traffic deaths and fewer serious injuries.

May 19 through June 1, 2014 is the Na-tional “Click it or Ticket” Campaign. Law enforcement officers all over the country will be participating in this high visibil-ity enforcement campaign. The media message will be to wear a seat belt or get a ticket. I encourage all law enforcement agencies and officers to participate in “Click it or Ticket” and aggressively en-force occupant protection laws through-out the year. Be sure that some of your seat belt enforcement is at night. Seat belt rates drop at night, and the percentage of unbelted fatal crash occupants is higher at night. For more information on how law enforcement can participate, go to www.nhtsa.gov.

So what happened in Cozumel — to drive or not to drive? I did drive off without the seat belt (bad idea), skipped the free tequila, and snorkeled on a great coral reef. However, I was a nervous wreck the whole time I was driving. Luckily, nothing bad happened. Don’t depend on luck, wear your seat belt.

Lesson learned. I will never book an excursion where driving is involved without checking to make sure there are working seat belts. Secondly, I wrote a trip review where I warned of the seat belt issue with the tour. That will warn future customers of the issue and per-haps get the tour provider to fix the seat belts.

Seat belts save lives. The laws of phys-ics apply even while on vacation!

By Bill Sullivan, Law Enforcement Liaison,

NHTSA Region 7



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NEWS

Pay Question Settled

The debate forges on in the Missouri legislature over efforts by the Mis-souri sheriffs to increase salaries.

One of the concerns recently raised was that any change to the salary statues would violate the Missouri Constitution. The clear answer to the question is that the legislature has broad authority and can indeed authorize increases to any elected official’s salary.

The argument started in 1982 when the Supreme Court of Missouri addressed a salary increase granted by the legislature to collectors in second class counties. The Boone County Court held that the salary increase violated Article X, Section 21 of the Missouri Constitution, known as part of the Hancock Amendment.

The Supreme Court determined that the grant of a higher salary to a county office holder pursuant to statute was actually a new “activity” under the Hancock Amend-ment. The Court stated, “The previously unlimited authority of the state to set the salaries of county officers pursuant to Article VI, Section 11, must be read in harmony with the Hancock Amendment.” The court held that the salary increase violated the Constitution and no salary in-crease could be granted without the state paying for the increase.

When the Court reviewed this issue, an important section of the Missouri Consti-

tution regarding salary of county officers read as follows:

“Except in Counties which frame, adopt and amend a charter for their own government, the compensation of all county officers shall be prescribed by law uniform in operation in each class of counties. Every such officer shall file a sworn statement in detail, of fees collected and salaries paid to his necessary deputies or assistants, as provided by law.”

However, Judge Bardgett drafted a strong, common sense dissent in the case which pointed out that there was no new activity imposed upon the counties.

The dissent’s reasoning was not lost and in 1986 the legislature passed, and voters adopted, the referendum to Article VI, Sec-tion 11 of the Missouri Constitution, which now reads:

“Except in counties which frame, adopt and amend a charter for their own gov-ernment, the compensation of all county officers shall either be prescribed by law or be established by each county pursuant to law adopted by the general assembly. A law which would authorize an increase in the compensation of county officers shall not be construed as requiring a new activity or service or an increase in the level of any activity or service within the meaning of this constitution. Every such officer shall file a sworn statement in detail, of fees collected and salaries paid to his necessary deputies or assistants, as provided by law.

“Upon approval of this amendment by the voters of Missouri the compensation of county officials, or their duly appointed successor, elected at the general election in 1984 or 1986 may be increased during that term in accordance with any law adopted by the general assembly or, in counties which have adopted a charter for their own government, in accordance with such charter, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13 of article VII of

Salary Increases for County Officials Established by Missouri Legislature Do Not Violate the Hancock Amendment

the Constitution of Missouri.”In 2010 the Missouri Supreme Court

tested the new language on an issue of whether retirement contributions for county officers were within the defini-tion of “compensation of county officers.” Barton County had stopped paying the retirement contribution in 2002 because the Department of Social Service budget no longer contained money for aid to counties that was used to offset the cost of prosecutor retirement contributions. The court held that the term “compensation” did include retirement contributions and that the county was required to pay the contribution for the prosecutors.

Given the history of the issue regarding county officer salaries we can determine the following.

First, the legislature has traditionally had unlimited authority to set the salaries of county officers. Second, the Constitu-tion allows for the state to set salaries of county officers. And third, any increase in compensation to county officers granted by the legislature does not violate the Hancock Amendment because the Constitution was amended to specifically exempt salary increases from the provi-sions of Missouri’s Constitution. As the debate over compensation for Missouri sheriffs continues, the analysis of the legal authority for legislative discretion over salaries will continue to prove very useful and persuasive.

By Rich AuBuchon, Polsinelli PC

Rich AuBuchon is an attorney with the

Polsinelli law firm and serves as the general

counsel for the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association.

He is a registered lobbyist and has an extensive

legal background in government, politics and

courtroom litigation.


NEWS

History in the Making

Did you know that in 1846, the Lawrence County sheriff held his prisoners in a log cabin with

access provided only by ladder lowered through a trap door in the ceiling?

Were you aware that during the mid-1880s, many minor and major crimes were going unpunished in Christian County so vigilante groups began forming “law enforcement groups” of their own? Or that the best known group was the Bald Knobbers?

Did you know that in the mid-1920s, gal-lows were constructed near the Audrain County Jail, but soon after, the death sen-tence on the county level was outlawed so those gallows were never used?

If you find those facts fascinating, you’ll want to order a copy of “Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future: A History of Missouri’s Sheriffs.”

The 11-inch-by-8.5-inch, hardbound coffee-table-style book will provide a unique glimpse into this historical office. It will explore the origin of the office of sheriff, which dates back to the 1800s, and will include a history of the MSA, a non-profit organization formed in 1945 to support the office of sheriff through legislative efforts, training and technical assistance. The book also will include a two-page spread from each of Missouri’s 114 counties and the city of St. Louis that will highlight interesting events and tell the stories of notorious criminals that made history in the state. The book will also honor former sheriffs who served over the years.

The history book is being published in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association, but was actually the brainchild of Sherri Bond, the wife of Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond, and Jeanne Merritt, marketing and adver-tising coordinator for the MSA.

“I was looking for a Christmas present for Kevin. I always try to get him some-thing that pertains to his job because that’s what he enjoys and thought a book on the history of the office of sheriff would be interesting,” Sherri explained. “However, I couldn’t find one anywhere. Then I saw Jeanne at a Christmas party and asked if she knew of a book like that. She said she didn’t but thought it was a great idea and a great project for the sheriffs’ association to take on.”

After Christmas, she and Jeanne dis-cussed it with Sheriff Bond, who will be taking over as president of the MSA in July, and he fully supported the project.

“I am a history buff so I thought it was a great idea but decided to informally

discuss it with a few of my fellow sheriffs and the response was great — they all thought we should do it. I started looking into some history of sheriffs and found it was pretty interesting material. We had our production person put together a tem-plate to present at an executive meeting and got a good response so we decided to move ahead,” Sheriff Bond said.

After production costs were calculated and details were finalized, the idea for the book was presented to the MSA Board of Directors, who voted unanimously to go forward with the project.

The book, which will be published in October, will be sold for $69.95. However, a $10 discount will be offered for any books pre-ordered through September 30, 2014.

The book can be ordered in sheriffs’ offices throughout the state; by calling Jeanne Merritt at 573-529-6900 or online at www.missourisheriffshistorybook.com.

By Nancy Zoellner-Hogland


Lawrence County

Sheriff Brad DeLay 2008 – Present

Sheriff Ed Weisacosky 2004 – 2008

Sheriff Doug Seneker 1996 – 2004

Sheriff Dave Tatum 1980 – 1996

Sheriff Marvin Quade 1964 – 1980

Sheriff Charles Vernon Smith 1952 – 1964

Sheriff Loy Leonard Starbuck 1944 – 1952

Sheriff Edwin John Mayhew 1940 – 1944

240 North Main, Suite 10Mt. Vernon, MO 65712417-466-2131www.lawrencecosheriff.com

Jail 52-bedsSize 625 square milesPopulation 40,000 inmates The Indian Removal

Act of 1830 forced the American Indian from

southwest Missouri and opened the area for permanent settlers. The first settler in what was to become Lawrence County, John Williams, arrived in 1831 and established a home near what would later be the county seat, Mt. Vernon. By 1845, settlers had arrived in such numbers that a new county was formed from parts of Dade County and Barry County. It was named Lawrence County in honor of Capt. James Lawrence, killed in

the War of 1812 after ordering “Don’t give up the ship!”

The first sheriff of Lawrence County, Washington Smith, was appointed by the State legislature. A native of Virginia, Smith had brought his slaves with him to Missouri, as had the John Williams family and many others. All the early sheriffs, until well after the Civil War, were of southern birth and the War caused tremendous up-heaval, not only in the sheriff ’s office but throughout the entire county. Many pro-Confederate settlers were forced to flee Mis-

souri after the Northern victory in the Battle of Pea Ridge, AR, and Federal forces moved into Lawrence County to enforce martial law. A provost marshal’s office was established in Mt. Vernon by the 15th Mo. Cavalry, commanded by former Sheriff John D. Allen, and much of the law enforcement was performed by Federal troops until the war ended in 1865.

Prisoners were held in a vari-ety of facilities, beginning with a log jail built in 1846, the coun-ty’s second year. Though wood-en, the specifications called for a quite solid building. Two walls of 10 inch hewn logs were sep-arated by a space of six inches. Between the two horizontal log walls, six inch vertical logs were inserted into the space. The log floor and ceiling were covered by one inch thick oak planks nailed down, with nails one inch apart, all over the floor. The only access was through a trap door in the ceiling, when a ladder was let down from above. Solid though it was, it was burned down seven years later by a prisoner who nearly perished in the fire.

A new jail was built in 1868 just off the Mt. Vernon square. Again, double-thick walls were used, though this time made of brick. It quickly proved to be in-adequate and a third, two-story limestone jail was completed in 1874. It was the site of the three official hangings in Lawrence County, all conducted by the sheriff. The first was performed in full view of an estimated 5,000 spectators in 1877. A posse of 100 men formed a barrier around the scaffold after an attempt to “rescue” the condemned man was rumored. The two subsequent executions were performed outside a sec-ond floor side door, behind tall stockade walls erected for each occasion. Two men were execut-ed for murder; one for rape.

The present jail was complet-ed in 1986 and is of modern design.

The first sheriff of Lawrence County, Washington Smith, was appointed by the State legislature. A native of Virginia, Smith had brought his slaves with him to Missouri, as had the John Williams family and many others. All the early sheriffs,

“Don’t Give Up the Ship!” Sheriff Clyde S.H. “Sport” Reid 1936 – 1940

Sheriff Walter Andrew Agan 1932 – 1936

Sheriff Sheriff A.N. “Alex” Hensley (R) 1928 – 1932

Sheriff W.H. Austin (D) 1924 – 1928

Sheriff Robert Clinton “Clint” McCorkhill Jr. (R)1920 – 1924

Sheriff Orlando J. Wilson (R) 1916 – 1920

Sheriff Charles J. Cherry (D) 1912 – 1916

Sheriff Jesse Thomas Thurman (R) 1908 – 1912

Sheriff Ed M. Goodman (R) 1904 – 1908

Sheriff John A. Conner (D) 1902 – 1904

Sheriff John Manlove (R) 1900 – 1902

Sheriff William Thomas Brown (D) 1896 – 1900

Sheriff John Manlove (R) 1894 – 1896

Sheriff John Silas Wilson (D) 1892 - 1894

Sheriff Joseph T. Thompson (R) 1886 – 1892

Sheriff Fred B. Reynolds 1884 – 1886

Sheriff John L. Whaley 1882 – 1884

Sheriff William S. Ryan (Also Collector) 1878 – 1882

Sheriff John L. Whaley 1874 – 1878

AtchisonNodaway

Holt

Worth

Gentry

DeKalbAndrew

Buchanan

Platte

Clinton

Clay

Daviess

Caldwell

Harrison

Ray

Mercer

Linn

Putnam

Carroll

Sullivan

Livingston

Grundy

Schuyler Scotland

KnoxAdair

Clark

Lewis

Macon


MarionShelby

Ralls

Pike

Audrain

Warren

LincolnMont-gomery

Callaway


Cass

BatesHenry


Benton

Vernon

Osage

MoniteauCole

Morgan

Miller

St. Clair Camden

Barton

Gasco-nade

St. Louis

St. Charles

Hickory

Franklin

Maries

Cedar Dallas

Dade

Polk

Jasper

Newton

McDonald

Lawrence

Barry Stone

Greene

Christian

St. Francois

Ste. Genevieve

St. Louis City

Jefferson

Scott

Iron

Reynolds

Carter

Ripley

Wayne

Butler

Stoddard

DunklinPemiscot

NewMadrid

Miss-issippi

Bollinger

CapeGirardeau

Madison

Perry

WashingtonCrawford

Dent

Shannon

OregonHowell

Texas

PhelpsPulaski

Laclede

Wright

Douglas

OzarkTaney

Webster

until well after the Civil War, were of southern birth and the War caused tremendous up-heaval, not only in the sheriff ’s office but throughout the entire county. Many pro-Confederate settlers were forced to flee Mis-souri after the Northern victory in the Battle of Pea Ridge, AR, and Federal forces moved into Lawrence County to enforce martial law. A provost marshal’s office was established in Mt. Vernon by the 15th Mo. Cavalry, commanded by former Sheriff John D. Allen, and much of the law enforcement was performed by Federal troops until the war ended in 1865.

A new jail was built in 1868 just off the Mt. Vernon square. Again, double-thick walls were used, though this time made of brick. It quickly proved to be in-adequate and a third, two-story limestone jail was completed in 1874. It was the site of the three official hangings in Lawrence County, all conducted by the sheriff. The firstldasjf alksfjeiaf-naeiafnelkfnaeinw.

Prisoners were held in a vari-ety of facilities, beginning with a log jail built in 1846, the coun-ty’s second year. Though wood-en, the specifications called for a quite solid building. Two walls of 10 inch hewn logs were sep-

arated by a space of six inches. Between the two horizontal log walls, six inch vertical logs were inserted into the space. The log floor and ceiling were covered by one inch thick oak planks nailed down, with nails one inch apart, all over the floor. The only access was through a trap door in the ceiling, when a ladder was let down from above. Solid though it was, it was burned down seven years later by a prisoner who nearly perished in the fire.

A new jail was built in 1868 just off the Mt. Vernon square. Again, double-thick walls were used, though this time made of brick. It quickly proved to be in-adequate and a third, two-story

limestone jail was completed in 1874. It was the site of the three official hangings in Lawrence County, all conducted by the sheriff. The first was performed in full view of an estimated 5,000 spectators in 1877. A posse of 100 men formed a barrier around the scaffold after an attempt to “rescue” the condemned man was rumored. The two subsequent executions were performed outside a sec-ond floor side door, behind tall stockade walls erected for each occasion. Two men were execut-ed for murder; one for rape.

The present jail was complet-ed in 1986 and is of modern design, with greater security for both inmates and staff. H

Sheriff Jackson B. Davis 1872 – 1874

Sheriff William Hughes Johnson 1870 – 1872

Sheriff Thomas B. Samuels 1868 – 1870

Sheriff James F. Gibson 1866 – 1868

Sheriff Andrew Pickens Gibson 1864 – 1866

Sheriff Henry Childress 1862 – 1864

Sheriff Samuel E. Roberts 1860 – 1862

Sheriff Dan M. Fulbright 1858 – 1860

Sheriff Thomas Hash 1856 – 1858

Sheriff John D. Allen (Also Surveyor) 1854 – 1856

Sheriff William Daniel Garrison 1852 – 1854

Sheriff James M. Moore (Also Representative) 1848 – 1852

Sheriff Wade Hamilton Stroud 1846 – 1848

Sheriff Washington Smith 1845 – 1846

Book chronicles sheriffs’ pasts

Nothing But the TruthSheriff affects community in more ways than one

Studies have shown that today, a large portion of society — and especially its youth — form opinions of law enforce-ment and the criminal justice system by watching cop shows on television or at the movie theater. While instantaneous lab results, sexily dressed detectives, shoot-outs with bullets flying every-where and high-speed chases on down-town city streets all make for a good story line they’re far from the reality of everyday police work.

Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond said as an adjunct professor with State Fair Community College’s Criminal Justice program he makes sure his students know that, while based in truth, the shows skew reality. And he can say that with confidence because, starting as a jailer, then getting transferred to dispatch and working the road as a patrol officer before being promoted to a leadership

ON THE JOB Cover Story

position and then elected as sheriff, he’s seen it all and worked it all.

“I teach one class per semester and love it because, in part, it allows me to tell poten-tial future law enforcement officers what the job is really like. Academics research their whole lives and share what they’ve read with their students. But I’ve lived it and I share what I’ve experienced, both good and bad, so my students end up with a real taste of the profession. Sometimes they hear the truth and they’re like, ‘Uh — this isn’t what I thought it would be,’” he laughed. “That’s ok because it allows them to move into another field without wasting years on training. But then there’s the other side of the coin when a student will take my class as an elective, thinking it might be an easy A, and gets bit by the ‘bug.’”

Teaching has also affected how Sheriff Bond runs his office.

“Instructing the students keeps me grounded and helps me think ‘outside the box.’ I’ve been working in law enforce-ment since 1986 — actually earlier be-cause I did an internship here as a crimi-nal justice student with CMSU. Sometimes after doing this job for so many years, you can get locked into a certain mindset. But by instructing others who also are inter-ested in criminal justice, I am constantly getting a fresh viewpoint — seeing things through their eyes. While I’m attempting to change their perspective, they’re also changing mine,” he said.

Sheriff Bond recently had the oppor-tunity to change the perception of law enforcement for a psychology major who had grown up in the inner city and whose only view of police was them coming to arrest friends and family members. At the end of class the young man said the sheriff had changed his attitude towards law enforcement by providing a viewpoint the young man had never considered.

“Who knows how that will affect his life,” the sheriff said.

In addition to changing perspectives, Sheriff Bond, who is married with two teenage children, also strives to change his community for the better by serving in his church and on the boards of several civic organizations. He is currently the chairman of the Pastor — Parish Rela-tions Committee for the Eldorado United Methodist Church; he serves on the board of directors for Child Safe of Central Mis-souri, the local child advocacy center; and he is a member of the Pettis County Pachy-derm Club, the Sedalia Lions Club and the Sedalia Rotary Club. He is getting ready to step down as Rotary Club president just in time to step up as president of the Mis-souri Sheriffs’ Association (MSA).

“If I’m going to be part of something I want to be actively involved,” he ex-plained, adding that he’s looking forward to taking on more responsibility with the MSA. “It’s a great organization that’s worked very, very hard over past years, tackling several legislative issues that have improved and strengthened the of-fice of sheriff.”

Although he said he won’t be able to establish too many goals until this legislative session wraps up, he has set one — to produce a quality “coffee-table-style” book that will explore the roots of the office of sheriff as well as detail the history of the office of sheriff in each of Missouri’s 114 counties and the city of St. Louis. (Read more about the book, “Pre-serving the Past, Protecting the Future” on page 13.)

“I’m really excited about this project and I think the other sheriffs are too. It’s something that’s never been done and although it will be a massive endeavor, it will provide us all with the unique oppor-tunity to tell the history of the positions we fill and to leave our mark on history,” he said.




Living Out His DreamSheriff fulfills lifelong ambition

From the time he was a little boy, Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen knew that he wanted to be a law enforcement officer. Although, at the age of 4, he couldn’t yet tell time, he knew that when the big hand pointed to 12 and the little hand pointed to 4 it was time for his favorite TV show — Highway Patrol with Broderick Crawford — to air.

As narrator Art Gilmore opened the 30-minute program by saying, “When-ever the laws of any state are broken, a duly authorized organization swings into action. It may be called the state police, state troopers, militia, the rangers, or the highway patrol. These are the stories of the men whose training, skill and cour-age have enforced and preserved our state law,” young Mark Owen dreamed of the day when he would be doing battle with bank robbers, kidnappers and other nefarious thugs.

His hope was put on hold for a short time when, after finishing school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. An injury brought an early honorable discharge, but recovery was swift and Sheriff Owen once again found himself on the brink of fulfilling his life’s ambition. However, no paid law enforcement positions were available. He did the next best thing — he went to work for the Kansas City Fire Department and volunteered as a reserve officer with the Weatherby Lake Police Department.

Then in 1979, when a deputy’s slot opened at Platte County, he grabbed it. However, when he and his wife were blessed with a set of twin girls a year or so later, Sheriff Owen quickly found that he could no longer afford to follow the desires of his heart. He stayed on with the county as a reserve deputy, putting in 1,500 to 1,600 hours per year, but, with a friend, in 1981 started what turned into a very lucrative air freight company.

Over the next eight years, the business

grew to the point that, when he had an opportunity to sell it to a large conglomer-ate, he couldn’t afford to say “No.”

“In July of 1989 I called Sheriff (Tom) Thomas and asked if I could come back to work fulltime. He agreed but put me on in a temporary fulltime position. The agreement was that after working for six months, I had to decide if I could afford to stay on because the pay was only some-thing like $12,000 to $14,000 per year,” he said, adding that shortly after the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1990, he called his sheriff to say “Yes. I can afford to stay.”

Through the years, he moved up through the ranks, from patrol to patrol administrative sergeant. Soon after Sher-iff Thomas retired and Sheriff Richard Anderson was elected, Sheriff Owen was promoted to lieutenant, taking over com-mand of the Emergency Services Unit. The next promotion meant captain’s bars and additional responsibility as com-mander over all road patrol operations. However, the biggest step in his career was taken in November 2011 when Sher-iff Anderson announced his retirement and Sheriff Owen announced he’d like to replace him. He ran unopposed and was sworn in January 2013.

“I’ve been with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office for 34 years now and I’m so thankful that I have gotten to be a part of building it to what it is today. I can hon-estly say one of the biggest blessings is the employees of the department. They are professional, they work hard and they truly care about their quality of work and the citizens. While many are in different divisions everyone does what they can to help and assist each other. It’s a joy to come to work each day,” he said, adding that he also appreciates the public he has sworn to protect and serve. “We’re very involved in our community. We offer a junior police academy for our youth and

we’re always providing opportunities to participate in a wide variety of educa-tional programs.”

In March the sheriff’s office went live with Project Lifesaver, which provides electronic bracelets for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, au-tism or Down syndrome. The bracelet is worn on the ankle or wrist and transmits a radio frequency that can be detected from one to up to three miles away by specially trained deputies using a hand-held tracking device.

“It’s just another tool to help serve the people,” Sheriff Owen said. “Our philosophy is when we partner with our community, we all win — we all get the opportunity to live out our dreams.”


A Man of His WordSheriff keeps promise to improve quality of life for communityWhen Chris Degase ran for sheriff of Douglas County in 2008, he vowed to focus on the unsolved homicides; effectively fight the drug problem; and address the burglaries and thefts that were taking place throughout the county — all while cutting inmate costs to the jail. And he promised to do it all in a transparent manner that allowed the citizens to stay informed of his office’s progress.

Step by step, he is accomplishing what he set out to do.

“In my first three years, all homicides were solved including one cold case from March 2007. The number of drug arrests has tripled. We’ve recovered thousands of dollars of stolen property and arrested several suspects who were charged and ultimately prosecuted. And in my first year I saved the county $44,000 by simply changing the menu in the jail,” he said, explaining that when he first took office, the county was paying a local restaurant to provide three meals per day to inmates — a practice he cut out right away.

He brought meal preparation in-house and started serving inmates cereal for breakfast, bologna sandwiches and chips for lunch and TV dinners for din-ner. When inmates said that they were tired of eating the same thing every day, Sheriff Degase said they’d add a piece of cheese to the sandwiches.

Then last year he saw what Sheriff Brad Delay was doing in Lawrence County and decided to follow his lead. The inmates now have oatmeal for break-fast every morning, sandwiches for lunch and beans and rice for dinner. By sticking with that menu and buying in bulk, he saved another $21,000 per year — a feat in itself since the number of inmates has doubled in the years since Sheriff Degase took office. The savings allowed him to put two more deputies on the street.

ON THE JOB Cover Story

Although inmates haven’t been happy, everyone else has heartily supported the move.

“For a while it was the talk of the town! Most of our residents can’t afford to eat out all the time so why should their taxes provide inmates with three meals a day from a buffet? The moral of the story here is ‘Don’t go to jail!’ When the in-mates complain, that’s what I tell them,” he quipped, adding that he’s kept the citizens informed of his progress by at-tending as many community functions as possible, regularly sending press releases to local media and participating in a radio talk show at 11 a.m. every Thursday. “People like to know what’s going on.”

The community was also pleased to hear that he decided to put inmates to work cleaning up along a creek that runs through Douglas County; adopting and maintaining a section of highway; scrap-ing snow and ice from sidewalks and steps at the courthouse; and helping with painting and other remodeling in the jail.

The changes are having a positive effect on a least one of those incarcerated. Last year, an inmate identified only as “J.D.” asked for and received permission to share his story with others. The nation-ally ranked bull rider spoke to students at the local school district and at a com-munity meeting about how meth use ruined his life. Sheriff Degase credited his testimony with passage of an ordinance in Ava requiring prescriptions for any medication containing Pseudoephedrine.

Sheriff Degase said because drug use had become an epidemic, he worked with Sheriff Darrin Reed in Ozark County and Sheriff Glenn Adler in Wright County to organize the Tri-County Narcotic Team. Since January of this year, the group has served more than a dozen search war-rants in the three counties, resulting in the arrest of 25 individuals with charges

ranging from possession of a controlled substance to endangering the welfare of a child to credit card theft.

He also worked with the Ava R-1 School District to develop an emergency re-sponse program to be used if an intruder poses an immediate threat. Authorized personnel simply hit a single button that is programmed to send both texts and calls with pre-recorded messages about the threat to the cell phones of every law enforcement officer — whether on or off duty — who is registered in the system.

“It’s been a busy five years since I was elected and my work days average 14 hours but I knew it would be that way when I ran,” Sheriff Degase said. “I decided then that I made a commitment to the people and I’d do this job right or I wouldn’t do it at all.”




Called to DutySheriff is compelled by desire to make a difference in his communityWhen Pemiscot Sheriff Tommy Green-well says he’s been in law enforcement all his adult life, he means it.

When he was just 15, he went to work as a weekend radio operator, handling dispatch for all law enforcement agen-cies, fire departments and ambulance services in the county.

“I’d been around police all my life. I didn’t have family members who were in law enforcement but I was friends with the police chief — we used to go fishing together all the time — and I was good friends with the chief dispatcher. I’d always been interested in law enforce-ment and dispatching just came natural to me,” he said, adding that although life was different back then, hiring teen-agers was probably more common than not in rural areas. “I handled it all from a two-channel radio — everything from murders to armed robberies — and I was always treated with respect because I took my job very seriously. Nobody ever talked down to me.”

When a full-time position came open two years later, Sheriff Greenwell grabbed it, dispatching overnight and attending high school classes in the af-ternoons. After graduation, he stayed on, working with Pemiscot County until he was 22. Then in 1979, anxious to work on the other side of the radio, he took a job as a patrol officer with the Hayti Missouri Police Department. He stayed there until 1985 when he went to work with the Mis-souri State Highway Patrol as a commer-cial vehicle inspector.

In 1991 he decided he needed a break in the action, quit his job with the High-way Patrol and opened Chubby’s BBQ restaurant, a feat that, according to many, was responsible for putting Hayti on the map.

However, it wasn’t long before people of his town were coming to him, ask-

ing him to consider running for sheriff. Compelled by the desire to help his com-munity, he agreed and in 1996 won the election by 62 votes.

As part of his campaign, Sheriff Greenwell said he set several goals for his time in office: catch and lock up the “bad guys,” obtain a new jail, update technol-ogy in his office and do it all without controversy.

To date, he’s managed to accomplish every one.

“When I was first elected, we had quite a few homicides open but we were able to solve them all, including a 13-year-old cold case,” he said. “When I took over as sheriff, there was only one computer in the entire sheriff’s office. I’m happy to say that our technology has increased greatly. Today, the office is completely comput-erized, down to mobile data terminals in our cars, which makes this job much easier for all of us!”

The new Pemiscot County Criminal Justice Center and 124-bed jail opened in 2002.

Situated near the New Madrid seismic zone, Sheriff Greenwell and his staff also have diligently trained with the State Emergency Management Agency and other law enforcement and emergency responders to better prepare for all types of emergencies, including earthquakes.

In between it all, he’s been just as diligent to find time to spend with his wife Steph-anie and his seven children, five of whom, ranging from 12 to 2, still live at home.

“I love my children and have lots of fun with them. My 10-year-old son is a hunter and crappie fisherman and I take him as often as possible. I’m fortunate that I get to be home most nights but when I can’t because of something going on at work, my kids and wife, who is a great mom and sheriff’s wife, understand. They’re proud of me and what I do,” he said, add-

ing that his faith has helped him keep his priorities straight both at home and on the job.

In fact, he credited his longevity to a decision he made long ago to run his of-fice in an honest, straight-forward man-ner that leaves no room for politics. He’s been assisted in that task by a core group of dependable, hardworking employees who share his mission.

“When I took over, there wasn’t much respect for the office of sheriff but I think that’s changed,” said Sheriff Greenwell, who for the past year also served as president of the Missouri Sheriffs’ As-sociation. “I believe people see that I still take this responsibility very seriously, as do the men and women who work here. I’m in my fifth term of office, which makes me the longest running sheriff in Pemiscot County’s history and believe I’ve kept the community’s confidence because I run the sheriff’s office the way people want it run.”



ON THE JOB

Living His Passion with Purpose

From the moment he took the helm of the Missouri Sheriffs’ As-sociation (MSA), Mick Covington’s goal has been to improve the of-

fice of sheriff. To accomplish that task, he has spent untold hours walking the halls of Missouri’s capitol and meeting with leg-islators in order to better educate them on the duties of sheriffs and their deputies.

“When I was selected for the execu-tive director’s position in 2001, I felt that the MSA was a strong organization but was under-represented. At that time, the perception of sheriffs was that portrayed on Andy of Mayberry when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. My objective was to change the percep-tion of the office and of the professional men and women holding that office. I wanted our elected representatives to understand the importance of the office. I wanted to let them know just how pro-posed legislation could positively — or negatively — affect the way the office of sheriff served its citizens and delivered services,” Covington said, admitting that mission often times made for long days that stretched into longer weeks, leaving little time for the outdoor sports he loved.

However, his passion soon paid off. Senators and representatives started seeking the sheriffs’ counsel when law enforcement bills were introduced so Covington encouraged the sheriffs to become more engaged in the legislative process. Soon, a contingent started mak-ing trips to Jefferson City to lobby for the things they needed. Recently, Covington got behind an effort that resulted in sheriffs maintaining a daily presence at the state capitol while lawmakers are in session.

Although he’s been involved in numer-ous pieces of legislation over the years, few drew as much attention as Senate

Bill 75, which last August transferred the responsibility for issuing concealed carry endorsements from the Missouri Depart-ment of Revenue (DOR) to the state’s 115 sheriffs.

Controversial or not — Covington said it was the right move to make.

“The sheriffs’ offices already handled most of the permit work and they have knowledge of the program. This is just another way for them to serve their com-munities and make their citizens safe,” he said, adding that he’s also been heavily involved in the prisoner per diem issue.

Currently, the state pays counties $19.58 per day until prisoners are trans-ported to the Missouri Department of Corrections. However, the cost to house those prisoners is close to $50 per day, not including medical expenses. And, if inmates who stay in the facilities are later sentenced to probation; discharged with time served; sentenced to time in the county jail; or judged innocent and released the county receives no reim-bursement at all.

“In the past, they’ve been considered ‘county prisoners,’ but the fact is, they were arrested for violation of state crimes and they’ve been charged with state offenses. They are state prisoners who are merely being housed in county jails — and they’re costing counties — and the local taxpayers — money they don’t have,” Covington said, adding that they are starting to see some pieces of legislation that will allow better reim-bursement. “We’re very hopeful they will make it through the process.”

With 30 years law enforcement experi-ence, working every position from patrol to commander of a SWAT team, Covington understands not only the importance — but the necessity of utilizing all possible training and technical assistance so he’s

also supported efforts to obtain grants to fund technology; develop record manage-ment and jail management systems; and establish a training program for jail ad-ministrators — something that had never been done in the state of Missouri.

Although his accomplishments are many, Covington said he feels one of his greatest was seeing the passage of the Deputy Sheriff Salary Supplementation Fund. Under House Bill 2224, Missouri sheriffs were authorized to collect an extra $10 to serve court documents. Fees had been locked in at $20 since 1983. The additional revenue was earmarked to boost salaries of those deputies making less than $28,000 per year.

Covington said when he started push-ing for the bill, 37 counties had full-time deputies receiving some sort of federal assistance — food stamps, HUD housing or Medicaid –because their annual sala-ries were so low.

“It affected 102 of 115 sheriffs’ offices across the state. That was a disgrace to Missouri and to the office of sheriff. It’s bad for morale — it’s bad for your office because when you can’t provide a living wage to your deputies, you will lose them to other agencies. However, by coming up with a revenue stream that allowed those salaries to be supplemented, our deputies could start making a decent wage and get off food stamps. I’m very pleased to have been a part of that move,” he said. “The real emphasis of the MSA is to improve the office of sheriff through legislative efforts, training and technical assistance so the office can continue to be responsive and committed to providing unparalleled service to their citizens. I believe that step by step, we are accomplishing that.”


Mick Covington


Crime Victims Update

Each April, the United States honors the strength of crime victims and the allied profes-sionals who work alongside them. This year April 6- 12

was designated National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

This year’s theme — 30 Years: Restor-ing the Balance of Justice — presented a perfect opportunity to salute honorees and their long-term commitment to aid-ing crime victims. As we celebrate three decades of defending victims’ rights, we are reminded of how far we have come — and how much work is yet to be done.

Only 30 years ago, crime victims had virtually no rights and no assistance. The criminal justice system often seemed indifferent to their needs. Victims were commonly excluded from courtrooms and denied the chance to speak at sentencing. They had no access to victim compensation or ser-vices to help rebuild their lives. There were few avenues to deal with their emotional and physical wounds. Victims were on their own to recover their health, security, and dignity.

Today, the nation has made dramatic progress in securing rights, protections, and services for victims. Every state has enacted victims’ rights laws. The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association’s (MSA) commitment to preserving the rights of crime victims holds a place of honor among service providers in the state. Never before has there been such a dedi-cated effort by law enforcement com-munities to serve victims in the immedi-ate hours and days after victimization occurred. Since October 2013, the Crime Victims Unit has worked with more than 190 victims. Many of our cases have multiple victims.

We were excited to be able to expand our program this year by hiring Emily

Russell, bringing the staff total to two with an additional five volunteers.

Emily, who is married and has two children, has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Central Missouri. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the job and has a long his-tory of community involvement/services to those in need. From 2012 to 2013 she served as chair of Moms Like Me of Warrensburg; she is a founding member and past vice president of New Vision Youth Services Organization and she is a founding board member and past com-mittee chair of the non-profit Nathan’s

Quest Childhood Cancer Fund. She’s also actively involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and she works in partnership with the Central Missouri Stop Human Traffick-ing Coalition.

“I’ve always had a passion to help those in need and have spent the majority of my spare time advocating for others through needs assessments, fundraising, organizing com-

munity events and sharing gratitude for law enforcement and other first responders. I specialize in understand-ing the crime of human trafficking and have spent much of the past year collaborating with other anti-trafficking organizations, creating public aware-ness, teaching at-risk populations, and educating community professionals on the role they play in identifying human trafficking victims. Understanding this crime has prepared me for response to a variety of high-trauma crimes and circumstances that often fall under the umbrella of human trafficking, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, drug addiction and homeless-ness. In 2000, my closest cousin was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 17 and shortly thereafter, I was also (albeit unofficially) a victim of stalking, so I

understand the heartache and vulner-abilities that many of our families are experiencing,” she said. “I also seem to have a natural ability to empathize and connect with others, which helps me comfortably develop rapport with survivors of crime and sit by their side in friendship as their cases pass through the justice system.”

Since joining the CVU as a volunteer in September of 2013, Emily has at-tended court and parole hearings to help victims through their experiences in the justice system.

Every year, millions of people have their lives changed forever by crime. They are our family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Many will have life-changing injuries or need ongoing care and support. We can all reach out to victims, listen to what they need, and help them rebuild their lives.

It was Benjamin Franklin that said, “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”

Please support the Crime Victims Unit by volunteering or donating to help meet the needs of crime victims in the state.

By Kim Case, Missouri Sheriffs’ Association

Crime Victims Unit Advocate

COMMUNITY

Emily Russell

“Every year, millions of people have their lives changed forever by crime... We can all reach out to victims, listen to what they need, and help them rebuild their lives”


Practices of an Inspirational Work Place

I have had the good fortune of leading in the same organization for nearly 20 years. I’ve also been blessed that my senior staff has remained with me for that entire run. We haven’t done everything perfectly. But, we’ve figured out how to see the best in each other and collaborate in a way that is not only good for the organization, it also makes the work relationally energizing. After 20 years I think each of us would say, through good times and bad, we genuinely love and respect each other and actually love coming to work!

People tell me this is not typical. Think-ing about my approach to leading people and keeping them inspired and moti-vated, I was struck by the simplicity of the practices. I suspect everything I share will be things already known. But, perhaps because of their relative simplicity, their significance might be underestimated.

BEING POSITIVEI have come to believe that positiv-

ity is one of the most important quali-ties. Leaders set the tone for the group; having a positive disposition about the mission and the future is absolutely criti-cal. Life is full of bad news. It’s easy to be negative. And our work is often very de-manding in and of itself. So, for a leader to express what is possible... for a leader to smile while in the office... for a leader to celebrate the good that is being done... makes an immeasurable difference! It’s a little thing that makes an enormous impact on the environment.

BEING APPRECIATIVEThere is a prevailing presumption that

we ought not express gratitude for people doing what they are “supposed” to do. Kudos should be reserved for something extraordinary. You don’t want to be “too” grateful because people will get a big head and think they deserve more. I don’t think the problem is that people are thanked too much. Instead, they may be thanked insincerely or generally — neither of which are very effective. A well-timed, well-conceived, personalized expression of gratitude — even for the most ordinary of tasks accomplished with excellence — can be extremely motivating and help create a positive work climate.

BEING SUPPORTIVEThe work place is increasingly a place

where people experience community. With the break-down of the family in so many sectors of society, people increas-ingly look to the work place to provide a sense of connectedness. Leaders can resist that shift and require their people to leave personal problems at home, but the fact is that we are whole people and we bring all of ourselves to the work place. Leaving our personal problems at home is impossible. Creating an environ-ment for people to be supportive of one another on a personal and professional level not only facilitates the sense of com-munity, it ensures that your best people will stick with you. For them it’s not just a job; it’s family!

BEING UNDERSTANDINGMany leaders believe one of the most

important components of an inspir-ing work place is a compelling vision. I agree! People need to know the vision and be motivated to fulfill it. However, there is a piece of a leader’s communica-tion process that is typically overlooked

and can make the difference between vision acceptance or rejection. Stephen Covey coined the phrase, “Seek first to understand then be understood.” This principle is critical to vision-casting. Instead of simply talking about what can/ought to be, truly inspiring leaders take the time to anticipate the difficulties as-sociated with achievement and address those barriers with as much understand-ing and deliberateness as the vision itself.

BEING AUTHENTICAll too many leaders believe those who

are following them need their leaders to be strong and invincible. There may be times where that is true. However, in day-to-day operations, personal authen-ticity can be extremely magnetic and inspiring. Contrary to popular belief, a leader’s credibility is not at risk when doubt, uncertainty, or personal ambiva-lence is expressed. Rather, they are seen as human. People identify with broken-ness and vulnerability and respect lead-ers who have the humility to embrace their own humanity.

It can be intimidating and overwhelm-ing to lead an organization in the midst of shifting cultural norms, pressing economic challenges, and compli-cated government bureaucracy. We can become cynical and skeptical about the discovery and implementation of workable long-term solutions. But, I have found that when leaders have the right people around them AND those people are motivated and inspired, solutions can be found, problems can be solved, and organizational effectiveness can be sus-tained. The real question is: Will a leader do the simple things necessary to make the seemingly impossible, possible?

By Pieter Van Waarde, Senior Pastor Woodcrest Chapel

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A Stitch — Made Just in Time

As Linda Owen spent her free time making clothes for her daughters and custom bedding for new grand-children, she never imagined that

one day she’d be getting paid for her creativity. But that’s exactly what has happened. And just as surprising, only a few weeks after purchas-ing her first professional machine, she was swamped with orders.

“I retired a year ago after 32 years of manage-ment with McDonald’s Restaurants. I’ve always loved to sew so when I was talking to my husband (Mark Owen, sheriff of Platte County) about what I was going to do now that I was home full time, he asked something like, ‘What about doing embroidery?’ I said that it sounded good and we bought a machine. It was just that simple,” she said.

Shortly after making the purchase, someone told the Owens that the Missouri Sheriffs’ Asso-ciation (MSA) was looking for a company to pro-vide them with shirts bearing the organization’s official logo. A call was made and the next thing she knew, Linda was asked if she could provide embroidered shirts for staff and put a display together in time for the sheriffs’ conference in March. Since that debut she has been working with several law enforcement agencies on their custom embroidered products.

“I was like ‘Oh my gosh! Did I just do this?’ But we found product that we liked, ordered a sampling of shirts and I got busy learning how to use my new machine. It was a lot of work but it was also a huge blessing — we purchased the machine to make money. I just didn’t expect to be working at it so quickly,” she laughed.

In the meantime, the Owens also began working out the details of business owner-ship. In the past, Linda had been pulling her sewing machine out of its storage place and setting it up on the kitchen table whenever she had a new project underway. However, with orders beginning to stack up, she found that she needed a permanent space to work and house the larger machines so a sewing room was set up in the basement — a place previously set aside as Mark’s “man cave.” A company name was chosen, a Limited Liability Corporation was established, email accounts were acquired, busi-ness cards were ordered and the couple started spending evenings creating a website for the venture, to be known as Sweet Stitchers kc.

In addition to learning the ins and outs of computer-designed embroidery, Linda has shopped around in order to expand her product line of jackets, button-front and polo shirts and hats to also include T-shirts and sweatshirts. She plans to take orders and bring some of the MSA logo items to future MSA conferences.

“It’s been like a heavenly whirlwind. I almost have to keep pinching myself to see if this is real. I just can’t believe that I get to spend my time doing what I love, providing items for an organization that is near and dear to our hearts,” she said.

For more information or to place an order while the website is being designed, email Linda at [email protected] or call her at 816-714-4246.


Turning a hobby into a career has paid off for Linda Owen, who provides custom embroidered products for the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association. The MSA logo consists of 16,000 stitches and has a 32 to 33 minute runtime.


Col. Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol; and Kent Crutcher, chief of the Branson Police De-partment; were asked to sit on a commit-tee to organize the event. It wasn’t long before the group came up with a long list of family-friendly activities that promise to provide a week full of fun — as well as a few educational opportunities — for active and retired law enforcement per-sonnel and their families.

The event will kick off at 5 p.m. Friday, June 13 with an opening ceremony at the Branson Landing. All week long, officers with valid identification get free admission to Silver Dollar City, White Water and Showboat Branson Belle and greatly reduced ticket prices for their family members. Hayes said America’s Hometown Heroes also teamed up with the Branson Tourism Center for reduced rates on lodging and attractions.

Organized events include a barbecue and Billy Dean concert at 5 p.m. Sat-urday; a church service and ice cream social Sunday; a products expo Monday; a golf tournament Tuesday;

POST certified training opportunities Wednesday; a keynote banquet featuring Gordon Graham, an expert on organiza-tional and operational risk management issues, Wednesday evening; a motorcycle rodeo, rally and patch/coin exchange and

blue grass concert Thursday; another mo-torcycle rally and shooting competition Friday; a Mark Chapman concert Friday evening; and a third motorcycle rally and Five-O 5K Walk/Run Saturday.

More events will be added to the calen-dar as details are finalized.

In the meantime, Hayes is reaching out to schools across the state and across America to ask students to write letters of appreciation for the law enforcement officers that will be visiting Branson throughout the week. The letters, which can be sent to [email protected], will be posted in the hospitality room at Chateau on the Lake, which will serve as a gathering place for those who just want to swap stories.

For more information, visit the Bran-son Salutes Law Enforcement Facebook page or visit www.bransonsalutes.com. The website includes a multiple-event registration form for activities.

Hayes said although registration is not required for all events, she hopes every-one that plans to attend will fill out the form or email [email protected] to help them better plan.

“I don’t want count on only 500 for the barbecue and then have 5,000 show up,” she laughed.


Branson Rolls Out Red Carpet for Law Enforcement

Probably few would believe that a roller coaster offering a 1:27-minute ride would serve as the impetus for Branson Salutes

Law Enforcement, a nine-day event hon-oring America’s hometown heroes. But that’s exactly what happened.

Laurie Hayes, executive director for the Branson Lakes Area Lodging Associa-tion, explained.

“When Silver Dollar City started put-ting together plans for the grand opening of Outlaw Run, their new roller coaster, the park’s owners wanted to make sure no one got the impression that law-break-ers were being glamorized, so opening ceremonies also included dedication of a monument to law enforcement. Word got back to Chip Mason, a former law enforcement officer who now heads up security for the park, about how ap-preciative the public was and it kind of grew from there,” she said. “Don Phillips, state representative from Stone County and a retired Missouri State Highway Patrol officer, talked about how success-ful Veteran’s Week has been so he and a few other people reached out to the community to see how they felt about a similar event to honor law enforcement. Everyone jumped on it!”

Jimmie Russell, sheriff of Taney Coun-ty; Doug Rader, sheriff of Stone County;

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Provider Delivers Healthcare Needsto Jail Populations Throughout State

Few realize how much sheriffs do to provide safety and protection not only for the public, but also for the individuals incarcer-

ated in their county jails. As long as that inmate is confined, sheriffs are responsi-ble for providing them with safe hous-ing, food, clothing — and medical care. Sheriffs and their counties can be sued if they don’t get it right.

Established in April 2002 by Dr. Nor-man R. Johnson and his wife Brenda, Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH) can help reduce a portion of that burden and liability risk by providing medical care for the inmates in jail facilities.

“I was a practicing physician when a friend, who was working as a physician in a prison, asked me to look into prison medicine. He thought I might enjoy it,” Dr. Johnson explained. “I did find it interesting but also found that it wasn’t very well organized. While there were correctional healthcare organizations providing nationally recognized best practices, I found that few facilities were organized to those standards. I also saw there were deficits when providing long-term healthcare to inmates so I started designing a system that would help cor-rectional facilities handle chronic care over an extended period of time.”

What he found delighted him. Pa-tients in the jail system actually could be healthier than those on the outside. Dr. Johnson also found a way to make that happen in a cost-effective manner. His company was born.

By December 31, 2002, ACH already had signed nine contracts. By 2007, and then again in 2012 and 2013, ACH was listed as one of INC. 5000’s fastest grow-ing health care companies. Through reputation and referral, ACH’s clientele has currently grown to 244 clients in 17 states, providing more than 30,000 in-

mates with daily access to medical care. Thirty-nine of those clients — 37 county jails, one city jail and one juvenile deten-tion center — are in Missouri.

The size of facilities served range from 10 beds to more than 1,200. ACH is experienced in handling all types of inmate populations — adult, juvenile, Department of Corrections, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US Marshal and Indian Nation –operating by the jail standards of that particular state and National Commission on Correctional Health Care recommendations.

ACH also actively supports sheriff’s associations in a variety of ways in the states where they operate. In Missouri, ACH also supports the County Commis-sioner’s Association. Continuing that partnership, Dr. Johnson, well-recognized in correctional medicine, continues to conduct medical training conferences in many states and to speak at state and national law enforcement conferences.

Art Rose, a member of ACH’s market-ing staff, said their approach to detainee medical services is to identify the needs of each client and then develop a cus-tomized program using the strengths of both the facility and ACH to provide the highest quality of detainee health care

possible. They do this by:• Ensuring the inmates’ medical needs

are addressed as required by law so their health is not allowed to decline. This means they get what they need — but not whatever they want.

• Providing efficient healthcare so the county’s and city’s tax dollars are used as judiciously as possible.

• Greatly reducing the facility’s, the county’s and city’s risk of lawsuit by employing the doctors, keeping three doctors on call 24/7, and employing nurses that are on-site and conducting ongoing training.ACH can also provide excellent dis-

counts on medical and non-medical items for all contracted entities. Because the company belongs to large group pur-chasing organizations that do billions of dollars of business, they are able to bring discounted prices to jails, large or small.

As part of the medical services they provide, they offer a series of additional tools including medical training DVDs for officers that are approved for credit hours through POS and drug identifica-tion cards. ACH also offers an electronic medical records product tailored specifi-cally for county jails.

“We believe strong client partner-ships are the key to a successful program and solid working relationships with community-based service providers, such as the local hospital, are critical to work-ing together as a partner in the delivery of health care,” Rose said. “Our diverse knowledge of health care, management, training, sales, and business relations with an emphasis on communication and client satisfaction provides the experi-ence required to attain the highest stand-ard of medical care for the detainees.”

By Art Rose, Advanced Correctional

Healthcare

V E N D O R S P O T L I G H T CORRECTIONS

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Dr. Norman and Brenda Johnson


CORRECTIONS

Kept in the Dark

After reading some of the newspaper accounts about criminals being held in the Douglas County Jail, one might decide they deserve exactly what they’re get-ting — long days and nights in cramped, dimly lit

cells with no hope of seeing daylight until they’re transferred to a state facility or released.

And that sentiment might be correct. Few would agree that thieves who steal from churches; child molesters; drug dealers; and murderers deserve to live lives of luxury while behind bars. However, those who tour the facility might also wonder if those behaviors warrant time behind bars in this jail.

“A sales tax increase was on the 2010 ballot to fund construc-tion of a new jail and as part of our campaign, we held two or three open houses for the public to come in and tour the facility — get a look at the conditions,” explained Douglas County Sher-iff Chris Degase. “About 50 or 60 people actually showed up and left in shock, absolutely appalled at the conditions. However, what started out as a jail ended up as a push for a whole new judicial system. Even though we were being very modest and weren’t building anything overly fancy or bigger than what we needed, that raised the price tag substantially. Since we were in the middle of the economic downturn, people felt they couldn’t afford another tax and the measure failed 60-40.”

With such a wide margin of disapproval, Sheriff Degase said he knew any attempts to take the issue back to the people in the near future would be futile, so he went to Plan B. He made thou-sands of dollars of improvements in the jail’s electrical system and he used inmates with backgrounds in construction to paint, build walls to surround dispatch, which previously sat “right out in the open,” and close off space in the office area with doors.

A tour of the jail revealed that even with the improvements, it remains severely outdated.

The first cell, painted a bright Pepto Bismol pink, was formerly used as the “drunk tank.” In 2010, it was converted to include a shower and four bunks and is now used to house trustees — those inmates who, through good behavior, earned the op-

Out-of-date jail provides challenges for staff, inmates

Sheriff Chris Degas (top) leads the way into the general male population ‘community’ area, where bars double as bookends and clotheslines. Although wiring still poses a problem, the dispatch center is now enclosed, providing a safer environment for staff.


portunity to work in the jail, cooking and serving meals and helping with laundry and other projects as needed. Inadequate and potentially hazardous wiring and lack of storage continue to pose problems. At the opposite end of the hallway is an ap-proximately 10-foot-by-20-foot cell with four bunks, a toilet and shower that is used to house female inmates. It serves as sleep-ing quarters and eating and recreational area for the women. A television sits on a molded plastic chair outside the cell with power cords and cable lines running across the floor.

An antiquated locking system and two sets of reinforced steel doors keep the rest of the facility, which is often filled to the max, secure.

A stark padded cell, used for inmates on suicide watch, waits behind the first door. That small room, lined with what resem-bles dated gymnasium mats, holds a 3-foot-by-5-foot pad that’s seen better days and has a hole in the floor that serves as a bathroom.

Behind the second door is a long, low-ceilinged hallway leading to a 16-foot-by-24-foot multi-purpose room and several barred cells. That area is also windowless. Although artificial light filters through holes in the thick bolted steel walls, the cells, outfitted only with stainless steel toilets and bunks, remain somewhat dim. In the corner of the rec room, used for conversa-tion, exercise and meals, sits one tiny stainless steel shower that serves the entire male general population. A small TV is mount-ed in another corner. The steel walls bear inmates’ penciled sketches and the bars that separate the room from the hallway are stuffed with paperback books and draped with whites that the men hand-washed themselves.

At times, the cells are also “stuffed.” In 2008, before Sheriff Degase was elected, the inmate census for the year sat at 337. In 2013, 563 inmates were confined in Douglas County. In many months, the 2013 population was more than double the num-

bers in 2008. However, the staff has remained the same — the sheriff, who also acts as jail administrator; five deputies; five dispatchers; one dispatcher who doubles as a jailer; and two ad-ditional jailers.

Even with the overcrowding and lack of exposure to sunlight, Sheriff Degase said few suffer with depression. He credits that to their open-door policy, which allows male inmates who pose no disciplinary problems to move about freely in the “community” area and socialize. In addition, jailers spend time talking to the inmates and family visitation is held every Sunday.

“I’ve tried to work on getting a little fenced-in area outside in the alleyway but a couple things stand in the way. One is money, two is security. It’s been a real issue for us because, while we have a large population for the size of our jail, we have a small staff,” he said, adding that he adopted a section of roadway so inmates, who will be shackled together, will get to work outside occasion-ally. “I wish we had a patch of ground close by where we could put in a garden, but unfortunately, nothing is available.”

In the meantime, Sheriff Degase also brings in another form of “Light” into the jail.

Inmates are allowed bibles and when churches request it and when time and staffing allows, parishioners are allowed to bring in meals and pastoral visits are allowed.

“Crosspoint Church in Ava, whose pastor is a former deputy, records their services and they provide us with DVDs. Once we figure out a way to do it, we’ll actually pipe it in so the inmates can watch it, if they choose to. Unfortunately, this is the school of hard knocks. They messed up. And nobody knows that like they do,” he said. “And although God can forgive them, the judge hasn’t so they’re simply reaping the consequences of the seeds they sowed. We do the best we can with what we have to work with.”


Left to right: An antiquated lock system is employed to secure the jail. Inmates on suicide watch are kept in this padded cell. Female inmates are confined to one 10-foot-by-20-foot cell.


CORRECTIONS

they need a chance to prove they can live right,” he said.

Capt. Curtis has a long career in law enforcement. He got started in 1983 as a Nixa police officer. Then over the next several years he worked as a deputy for both the St. Charles and Jefferson county sheriffs’ offices before signing on with the Department of Defense as a battle-field investigator in Iraq and Afghani-stan. He returned from Afghanistan in 2012 just as long-time friend John Cottle began running for sheriff of Lincoln County.

“We’ve been buddies since we were young men and then worked together — me as a deputy and him as a water patrol officer — in the flood of ‘93, spending 12 to 15 hours a day in his boat. Over the years, we stayed in touch so when he asked me to come on board as jail administrator, I said ‘Yes.’ I knew nothing about corrections, but I knew a lot about leading men, both on the job and in the battlefield; I’m good with people and I’m good at teambuilding,” he said.

Soon after taking the job, he started putting those skills to work.

Capt. Curtis, who hated seeing the inmates just sitting in their cells, got them started picking up cigarette butts from the grounds. When a water heater broke, he asked one of the inmates who had worked as a pipefitter to replace the broken unit, not only saving the jail money, but also giving the inmate a sense of worth. Little by little, more and more inmates were asked to share their talents. Capt. Curtis said when he asked for and received permission to plant a garden he had an entire crew that was eager to get their hands dirty. The Second Chance Work Brigade was officially formed.

Second ChanceAmazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see.

Those lyrics have special mean-ing for the members of Lincoln County Jail’s Second Chance Choir, who, clad in leg irons

and orange or black-and-white striped uniforms, have been sharing their testi-monies and singing about God’s amazing grace in local churches nearly every Sun-day morning for the past several months.

According to inmate Scott Pratt, one of the choir leaders, in 40-some perfor-mances, the results have always been the same — there’s not a dry eye in the house by the time they hit the last note.

“And I’m talking about us. The emo-tions overwhelm us,” he said in a video produced by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. “It’s proof that the Spirit exists — proof that the Spirit is there amongst us. I’m 47 and just now understanding I can be a different person — I can change.”

Lincoln County Jail Administrator Capt. David Curtis said that’s exactly the outcome he hoped for when he formed the choir.

“After 200-plus years of rehabilitation, we’ve found that many of the old ways don’t work. I wanted to try something different because, although I’ve spent the last 30 years locking up ‘bad guys,’ I’ve come to realize that not everyone in jail is inherently bad. Some have just made mistakes — made bad choices — and now

Capt. David Curtis

Jail administrator’s innovative thinking turns lives around


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“We average 120 inmates and usually have about 20 in the program. Of course, not everyone wants to get involved — and not everyone qualifies. Before they’re allowed to join the work brigade, they have to be extensively screened and they have to exhibit exemplary behav-ior,” he said, adding that because most inmates are there only for a few weeks or months, screening is ongoing. “I’m happy to say that to date, we’ve had no problems.”

In fact, the garden project was so suc-cessful that Sheriff Cottle gave the work brigade permission to “leave the wire” to tackle projects for churches and not-for-profit organizations in the community. To date, they’ve trimmed trees and shrubs and planted flowers at a church in Elsberry; they’ve constructed a fence at a little league ball park in Moscow Mills; they’ve transformed a 130-year-old build-ing into office space for Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service, the largest comprehen-sive social support agency in St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren counties; and they recently were asked by the mayor to restore a 120-year-old house for the Troy Historical Society. “This has really been a win-win situation all the way around. The community is benefitting by the free labor and the men, while tired and sun-burned at the end of the day, feel good about themselves because they know they’re making a difference.”

The choir, comprised of many of the work brigade members, is having similar results. Capt. Curtis said it’s not only building a sense of belonging in the men, who are housed together in the same pod, it’s also building a sense of pride in the other inmates, as evidenced when several volunteered to hand wash uni-forms after the washing machine broke down the day before one of the choir’s singing dates.

“I’m so proud of my guys. They’re dis-ciplined, they’re focused and they want a chance to prove they can do something right. Best of all, they’re carrying that attitude with them when they leave here. Of all the men that have gone through the program in the past year, only one has

off because they know we have to have guards with us when we travel. They see how important this is to the men and to the community,” he said. “I started the Second Chance Work Brigade and Choir as a way to open the inmates’ eyes and change their hearts but I’m very thankful that it’s done so much more.”


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returned to jail. The rest have all turned their lives around. A side benefit is that the choir and brigade have also led to job offers and other offers of assistance for the men when they are released,” he said.

Capt. Curtis was also quick to give credit for the success to Sheriff Cottle and to staff members who are extremely sup-portive of the program.

“Many of them volunteer on their days

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“I’ve come to realize that not everyone in jail is inherently bad. Some have just made mistakes — made bad choices — and now they need a chance to prove they can live right.”

TRAINING

Sheriffs listen attentively as Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Mick Covington provides updates on the Conceal Carry permitting process.

MSA Spring ConferenceAlthough a severe ice storm forced a three-week delay, the majority of sheriffs and vendors were able to make the 2014 Missouri Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) Spring Conference held March 24-26 at Lake of the Ozark’s Lodge of Four Seasons.

Attorney General Chris Koster discusses proposed legislation that could affect how sheriffs carry out their responsibilities.

Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond, who takes over as president of the MSA in July, tells sheriffs what they need to submit for the history book project.

A lonely table for one sits unoccupied in honor of fallen law enforcement officers. This is the first year for the observance, carried out by the sergeant at arms.

Jerry Lee, director of Missouri’s Department of Public Safety, offers opening remarks to kick off this year’s training conference.

Nearly 90 percent of Missouri’s 115 sheriffs received training on everything from leadership ethics to racial profiling at the training.

Scott County Chief Deputy Kenneth Kinder (right) and his colleague present a session on human trafficking.

Wanda Holtmeyer, accounts manager; Karen Logan, administrative assistant; and Jeanne Merritt, marketing coordinator; greet this year’s attendees.

Kim Case, crime victim advocate case manager (left), introduces her new assistant, Emily Russell, to Cass County Sheriff Dwight Diehl.


Cathy Jones with IHS Pharmacy is one of more than 35 exhibitors in attendance at this year’s conference.

MSA Jail Administrators’ ConferenceOne hundred three jail administrators, staff members and sheriffs attended the third annual Jail Administrators’ Conference, presented by the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association. The conference, held May 6-8 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, covered such topics as dealing with combative inmates, transporting inmates and motivating staff.

TRAINING


Jail Captain Jenny Atwell and Chief Jail Officer Warren Brewer (right) talk to Joe Hellney with Court Money.

Platte County Captain Joe King listens to a question during his presentation on inmate discipline.

More than 100 attend the session on inmate mail procedures.

Adair County Sheriff Robert Hardwick presents Officer Latara Lusher with the 2014 MSA Corrections Officer of the Year award.

Lawrence County Sheriff Brad Delay (right) presents Lt. Doug Bounous with the 2014 MSA Jail Administrator of the Year award.

After slaving over a hot grill, Moniteau County Sheriff Jeptha Gump enjoys crawfish fresh from Louisiana.

CTC Communications, Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen, and Moniteau County Sheriff Jeptha Gump put on a crawfish boil and BBQ for this year’s attendees.

Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen (center) and his wife Linda talk with Steve Zalken from Alamar Uniforms.


TRAINING

Answering the Call It’s time to enroll in basic law enforcement course

“If you dream of a better world, eventually you’ll wake up and make it a reality.” – Unknown

“All of our dreams can come true — if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

“The things you regret most in life are the risks you didn’t take.” – Unknown

A Google search for “Law enforcement inspirational quotes/mottos” will net hun-dreds of thousands of results.

Some sayings are crude, some are touch-ing, some are even funny — but they nearly all focus on one thought — those with a call on their lives need to answer.

Individuals who have long desired to truly make a difference in their commu-nities, but who have procrastinated about taking the steps needed to accomplish that goal, now have another opportunity. This August, the Missouri Sheriffs’ As-sociation Training Academy (MSATA) will begin another round of law enforcement training courses — and they’ve added an-other training site to their roster to make it easier for those in the northern portion of the state to attend.

The newest academy will be held in Chillicothe at the Livingston County Sher-iff’s Office. It’s one of the eight 700-hour basic law enforcement courses that are scheduled to begin at the end of this sum-mer. The other locations are in Camden-ton, Poplar Bluff, Kirksville, Clinton, West Plains, Mt. Vernon and Waynesville.

“We felt like we needed to offer an-other program north of I-70. And because North Central Missouri College in Tren-ton, which is just about 22 miles away, offers a criminal justice program, we thought it would be a good opportunity to serve those students that wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement after they graduate,” explained Mike Stubbs, training coordinator for the MSA.

In order to be a licensed peace officer in the state of Missouri, whether with a municipal department or a sheriff’s office, candidates must complete a minimum of 600 hours of training with a state-licensed training academy. That training is separate from a criminal justice degree required by some agencies, but not by the state.

According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, in addition to graduating from a state licensed law enforcement basic training course, each applicant must also:

4 Be a United States citizen4 Be 21 years of age4 Have a high school diploma

or its equivalent4 Have no criminal record4 Successfully pass the Missouri

Peace Officer License ExamTo attend the MSATA, potential

students also must submit a two-page au-tobiography at least three weeks prior to the start of class and attend a 30-minute, in-person interview.

Classes typically are held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day on Saturday and sometimes on Sunday. Stubbs said it takes approximately 10 ½ months to complete the program. Financial aid — either grants, which don’t have to be paid back, or student loans, which do — can be arranged through the Missouri State University

in West Plains to help with tuition costs at any of the academy locations. College credits can also be obtained through the university.

The academy classes are taught by a variety of professionals including work-ing or retired deputies, police officers, highway patrol troopers, federal law enforcement officers, juvenile officers, judges, firefighters and attorneys who live in the communities where classes are held. They are licensed and regu-lated by the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Program, a Division of the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

“We have no way of tracking gradu-ates because we don’t offer placement services but we do know that since beginning the training academy in 1997, we’ve held more than 160 classes and graduated more than 3,000 students,” Stubbs said. “In this session alone, we currently have 185 students enrolled.”

In fact, this year, for the fourth year in a row, MSATA ranked number one in the state for total numbers of basic academy graduates.

Stubbs said anyone interested in enrolling in the MSATA should visit the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association website at www.mosheriff.com and then click on the “Training Academy” link at the top of the page.

“It will walk you through the process and then you can even fill out the ap-plication online,” he said.

For more information, call Gina Kauff-man or Donna Arney at 573-635-9644. For more information on the financial aid process, contact Rachel Peterson at 417-255-7978.


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While other correctional healthcare providers may offer similar services, no one delivers higher standards than Advanced Correctional Healthcare.

At ACH, we take pride in delivering a higher standard. In providing care. In managing risk. In containing costs. When we make a promise, we stand by it.

Contact ACH today for a free facility analysis and consultation. Art Rose, Program Consultant866.719.8100 toll free 417.773.7525 cell [email protected] www.advancedch.com

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